Court hears Longford man attacked neighbour with curtain pole

A court has heard how a Longford man attacked his neighbour with a curtain pole after believing his victim's wife had reported him to gardaí.

Father of three Martin McDonagh, 2 Congress Terrace, Longford appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court last week charged with assault and the production of an article contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

The court heard the accused had blamed the victim for a garda search which had been undertaken at Mr McDonagh's family home.

Sgt Mahon said on the day of the incident, the accused had complained how it wasn't the first time gardaí had called to his door, leading Mr McDonagh to call the victim's wife a “nosey b****.”

Sgt Mahon said there was “language exchanged” between both men seconds before Mr McDonagh grabbed a curtain pole and swung it in the direction of the male victim.

The court was informed Mr McDonagh had seven previous convictions to his name, the vast bulk of which were for road traffic related offences.

In defence, solicitor John Quinn said both men were “more or less neighbours” and while relations had not soured any further in the interim, there had been issues concerning “something about reporting”.

He also explained Mr McDonagh was a man who suffered at time from depression, saying the row had since been settled.
“There were some blows traded, but nothing of consequence,” he said.

“Relations have been resolved as best they can in the neighbourhood.”

Sgt Mahon appeared to endorse that standpoint, stating it was the Gardaí 's view that there had been no further issues between the respective parties.

Judge Owens said she would be taking into account the decision taken on behalf of the alleged injured party to hold off against submitting a victim impact statement and adjourned the case until April 4, 2023.